Troy A. Brewer's Blog, page 221
May 23, 2020
SYMPATHY VS. EMPATHY
I am right by your side where I see and feel your pain. Don’t harden your heart against it. As you go through it, you will have a heart to help others experiencing the same thing.
SYMPATHY VS. EMPATHY
There’s a real lack of empathy in the Body of Christ. There’s plenty of sympathy, but empathy is in short supply these days.
Sympathy and empathy are two different things from two different places. Empathy is when we say, “I know exactly how you feel. I’ve been there myself.” Jesus has empathy, not sympathy for you because He’s been through everything you have and more. Empathy is a Kingdom thing.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin. – Hebrews 4:15
Sympathy, however, is when we say, “That’s too bad. I feel terrible for you!” It’s the product of a religious spirit that says, “They just need to work that out with the Lord. They likely deserve what they’re getting. If it’s God’s will, it will work out.”
Now sympathy is the product of a religious spirit. Like the high priest Gamaliel in Jesus’ day, we say, “If it’s of God, it will prosper. If it’s not, it will go away on it’s own.” While that sounds wise, it’s actually very foolish in God’s eyes.
That response says, “I’m unconcerned about your need and won’t take any responsibility for helping you.” It’s the equivalent of Pontius Pilate not finding any fault with Jesus, yet washing his hands of responsibility for the obvious blood about to be spilled.
God wants a harvest out of us. Sympathy and saying, “If it’s God’s will…” won’t pull anyone out of satan’s clutches. God loves empathy because it fuels action, commitment and responsibility. Are you ready to plant and water seeds? Jesus is ready for the harvest.
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO RESCUE A POW FROM SATAN’S GRIP. DON’T JUST SAY YOU’LL PRAY. PRAY AND TESTIFY TO HIS GOODNESS.
From my sermon series LORD OF THE HARVEST
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May 22, 2020
HOPE FOR YOUR KIDS
I am the perfect Father. I love and provide for My children. Still, I cannot make them love or obey Me. Neither can you. Trust Me and My gift of free to bring them home to both of us.
HOPE FOR YOUR KIDS
I just can’t imagine the control, fear, and the environment of what was going on during the day that Moses was born. It had to be extreme.
Not only was Pharaoh trying to exterminate the prophesied deliverer the Jews were always talking about, the idea was, if all they have is females, the Hebrews will eventually be bred out of the population.
So the Egyptians systematically began to kill these boy babies who had the audacity to have Abraham’s blood within them.
Can you imagine how scared the mama of Moses was when she found out she was pregnant? She knew there was a law that if her child was a boy, he would be put to death.
“Now a man of the tribe of Levi married a Levite woman, and she became pregnant and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months.” – Exodus 2:1-2
First time I read that, I thought it was strange. Did she see he was a good-looking kid decide to let him live?
I did a word search and found the word “goodly” means “God-like,” “he looked like God” or “he looked like God loved him.” In other words Jacobed saw baby Moses and knew God was all over him. He had a destiny.
Let me tell you this: so do your kids. They have a great-big destiny in the Kingdom and like Moses’ mama who endured the worst of circumstances, you are called to see their potential and be faithful no matter how ugly the world is, no matter how poor or how messed up your family is.
See the Jesus in them. Father God does.
From my sermon series EXODUS
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Episode 41 – … Since the Corona Virus
Listen in as me and my bride Pastor Leanna Brewer as we discuss what we are doing now, and a special report on how we met Joel, one of our albino children in Africa.
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May 21, 2020
BAD NEWS BETTY MEETS NEGATIVE NANCY
I will never leave you nor forsake you even when your situation seems grim. Look for me in the storm. Am I not the one who calms the waves? I will calm your troubled heart.
BAD NEWS BETTY MEETS NEGATIVE NANCY
Whether it’s an obituary, tax bill, divorce papers, doctor’s report or your child’s report card, we’ve all gotten bad news. Let me tell you, there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with negative reports.
Let’s take a look at the wrong way as Jesus tells the disciples, “I’ve got some bad news for you guys. Lazarus is sleeping.”
The disciples must be in a really bad mood and one of them says, “Well, at least somebody gets to sleep.” Read it! You need to read it! He says, “If he gets to sleep then he does well.” What that means is, “At least somebody around here gets to sleep. Praise God, because we sure don’t.”
That’s when Jesus quits being nice and just comes right out with it. “No, Lazarus is dead. And you know that God’s going to do something awesome so we’re going to go there.”
Then Thomas says, “Oh great, let’s all go where Lazarus was because whatever plague killed him is liable to kill us, too. That’s a great idea.” Read it! He says, “Yeah, let’s go there too so we can all die.” Now it’s a party. Read it! So, Jesus is just like, “I’m surrounded by idiots. Lets just go.”
The disciples just don’t get it. I’m sure Jesus is really excited about what’s going to happen, but they can’t see past their own shock, grief and ruined plans. They are focused on the negative.
They were not looking for a miracle and they were living night and day with the Miracle Worker Himself! Not one of them was looking for beauty in the midst of ashes, let alone a flat out miracle. As followers of Christ, they were either dense or faithless – a lot like you and me.
Are you focusing on the negative? Did you look for the beauty God promised instead of the ashes life delivered? Have faith. Have hope. Your God is the God of resurrection and life. Look for Him to show up in the midst of the mess.
Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” – John 11:14
From my sermon series EXODUS
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May 20, 2020
IN A MIRROR DIMLY
I have torn the veil to give you access to My Presence. Do not look for me in a sermon. Look for me in Goodness. I Am Good and you will find Me when you seek Me there.
IN A MIRROR DIMLY
There are a lot of mysteries in the Kingdom, but who Jesus is to you and who you are to King Jesus should not be one of those mysteries. That should be an ongoing dialogue that you have with God – a constant conversation.
It’s about unveiling Jesus and getting to know Him face to face. There are four different faces or ways you need to know Him. They are described in the four gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Matthew saw Jesus as King, a ruler and warrior. He experienced Jesus’ authority and majesty and it blew Matthew away. On the four faces of the cherubim circling the throne of God, this would be the face of the Lion. That’s how Matthew experienced Jesus.
Mark saw Jesus as a servant and wonder worker – docile, practical, hardworking and intentional. He was Mark’s burden bearer and yours as well. This would be the face of the ox on a cherubim.
Though Luke was not an original disciple of Jesus, he, like us, had a personal encounter with the Lord. It was important for Luke to show Jesus’ humanity. He felt our joy, pain and shame. He can empathize with us. This would be the face of the man on the cherubim.
John sees Jesus as God. Period. He writes about the miraculous, powerful, majestic side of Jesus. John saw Him as straight up supernatural. That would be the face of the eagle on the cherubim.
And if you know Him in these four, very different ways, you can have victory in every single part of your life. When you seek Jesus, you will find Him. When you do, you will experience Him and see Him for who He is – the Way, the Truth, the Life. He is the Word who created and the Redeemer who paid our debt. He is GOOD!
For now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. – 1 Corinthians 13:12
From my sermon series JESUS UNVEILED
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May 19, 2020
STRONG AS AN OX
Don’t try to hide your humanity from Me. I not only see your pain and grief, I’ve experienced it. I understand and want to shoulder your burdens. Give them to me. In my hands, they are light. You’re not meant to carry them.
STRONG AS AN OX
Did you know Jesus has the face of an ox? According to the book of Isaiah, that’s one of the many faces, or facets, of Jesus. The tripped out seraphim who eternally circle the throne of Jesus, have four faces – prophetic of the faces of their King – and one of them is an ox.
So what does it mean to know Jesus as the face of an ox? It means you’ve seen Him be your burden-bearer. He is your servant.
Now, that can be a tough pill to swallow – the almighty God of the universe being your servant, but He likes that. He’s a leader and a true leader never asks his people to do what he refuses to do. They lead by example, like when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.
As the face of an ox, Jesus is docile and domesticated, practical and faithful. He is the most kind, steady, compassionate man the world has ever known. You can trust and count on Him to get you through hard times.
Jesus is also hardworking, intentional and He gets stuff done. He’s a doer and enjoys accomplishing tasks. Heck, He even cooked fish with His disciples! Jesus was a real guy and guys love to work and check off the to-do list.
Jeremiah was a picture of this face of Jesus long before the Savior ever walked the earth. The name Jeremiah means “God is my encouragement” and it’s prophetic of the face of the ox.
Because Mark lived day in and day out with God in the flesh – he knew this side of Jesus and it amazed him. That’s why the book of Mark is all about Jesus as a burden-bearer. He saw Jesus shoulder the cross for us.
Do you know Jesus as your burden-bearer? That He’s always working on your behalf, faithful and kind, serving and leading you out of the wilderness and into better things? If you don’t, get to know Jesus the ox. You’ll be so encouraged!
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. – Isaiah 53:4
From my sermon series JESUS UNVEILED
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May 18, 2020
THE SAME KING
Seeing is believing but it all starts with what we believe. Remember, others have their own beliefs. Ask the Lord for eyes to see how you can help others believe too!
THE SAME KING
Without the church, America would have no conscience. It would not make selfless choices without the Body of Christ. The church is so important right now as the days not only shorten, but darken.
This is going to make the church mad, but here goes: The problem in America isn’t that Islam is so big or so bad, or the haters among us are a threat. The problem is the church is so full of limp-wristed pansies. It’s ridiculous.
We’re not all the same, and because we’re not all the same, we think we have to bow down to the politically correct and fight each other.
We have black churches, white churches, Hispanic and Asian churches. We have men and women leaders. We’re denominational. We’re non-denominational. Some churches are rich. Some are poor. We all have different traditions and rites of passage. There’s a big difference in our methods and expressions. These things keep us at one another’s throats!
Here’s what I say to that: We’re different tribes, but we all have the same King!!
The Body of Christ is not supposed to look the same, act and be the same. We’re all supposed to have the same King. We’re supposed to act differently and have differences to attract a variety of people.
There’s nothing wrong with our differences. They add beautiful layers to the Kingdom. Those differences are our strength when we realize the church down the street is not our competition. Satan is. This world is.
Are you fighting the right enemy? Are you fighting against darkness or competing against the big church on the corner? Get in the right fight with the right people!
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. – Philippians 2:2
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BATTLE DARKNESS WITH THE LOVE OF JESUS! PRAY FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST AND STOP FIGHTING THE WRONG ENEMY.
From my sermon series I LOVE MY TRIBE
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May 17, 2020
FATHER KNOWS BEST
I have loved you from the beginning with an everlasting love. Before I spoke the universe into existence, I saw you. I saw your pain and your struggles. I also saw My likeness and said, “It is good. There there be…”
FATHER KNOWS BEST
Let me tell you about God. He’s a Father and good fathers understand this important truth – “my kids are weird.” If you have kids, let me tell you something about them – they’re weird.
Your kids are not going to be you and they’re not supposed to be you. Fathers, that’s why you should not frustrate them. That’s what the Word is talking about when it says, “fathers, do not exasperate your kids” and try and make them be somebody they’re not.
You need to be okay with them being who they were meant to be. It’s your job to help them be the very best “them” they can be – to approve of your kids even though they’re not exactly like you.
It would have been a terrible mistake for me to demand that my kids would be in the ministry when they grew up. So many preachers have done that, and they’ve lost their kids because of it.
Know this: it’s the Church that doesn’t like weirdness, not Jesus. I’ve been a part of so many tribes within the Body of Christ all over the world and I can tell you this – all are filled with really weird people. Jesus loves that. He loves your weirdness and celebrates your uniqueness, so embrace that in your kids. Your Father knows best.
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4
From my sermon series I LOVE MY TRIBE
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May 16, 2020
EMPOWERMENT PRINCIPLE NO. 2
Be still and KNOW! Knowledge from Me is wisdom! Stop, kneel and ask Me before making your plans! You succeed and accomplish so much more with Me than without Me.
EMPOWERMENT PRINCIPLE NO. 2
People who partner with God are empowered to flow in divine wisdom taking very real and serious responsibility for their life. They say, “OK, God. Let’s You and me figure this out.”
He says, “OK, here’s some cool God thoughts.” Boom, Boom, BOOM!
Suddenly, you start thinking about things you never would have before partnering with God. Divine wisdom belongs to you but not if you have a thought life that belongs in the Wilderness.
If you have negative thoughts about yourself, you need to go to the Wilderness where you find out you’re special to God. You’re somebody to Him and He’s not going to let Pharaoh have you.
When you go into the Promised Land, you start thinking like a warrior, like someone who’s got their act together. That’s where that flow of divine wisdom empowers you to start listening to the right people and stop listening to the wrong people.
It empowers you to surround yourself with victorious, like-minded Kingdom warriors. To know the promises of God for your life and, as soon as you wake up in the morning, to purpose yourself to think Kingdom thoughts about your life.
This flow of divine wisdom will help you create a new normal where you are loved, celebrated and empowered to bring salvation and that same power to the lost and hurting. Are you there? If not, what’s stopping you?
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. – James 1:5
From my sermon series MILK AND HONEY
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PROMISE LAND PARTNERSHIP
Want to go on an adventure with Me? Adventures can be right in your own backyard or across the ocean. Expect Me to be with you. Let’s go find treasure together! What are you waiting for?
PROMISE LAND PARTNERSHIP
In the Promised Land, you dream big. You don’t do that as a slave in the Wilderness. There, you are told what to think. Your work is toward somebody else’s dream.
In the Wilderness, you don’t dream. You learn to live day by day with God. When you move into the Promised Land, you begin to have the rock star encounter with God Almighty like Adam had. This is how partnering with God to accomplish your God-given dreams goes:
God said, “Hey, Adam. I’ve got this thing. What are you going to do with it?”
And Adam says, “I’m going to call it a lion and put it at the top of the food chain. And we’re going to have the girls do all the work and the guys will just sleep 24 hours a day. They’ll just show up and eat things. That’s what I’m going to do.”
God said, “OK,” because He gave Adam the ability to dream as far as the dominion of the world was concerned. That’s incredible to me. God didn’t show up with a big stick and try to control Adam. Oh, I love me some God.
In right covenant with Him, there is partnership. The highest honor God can give is to partner with you. Can you imagine? God wanting to partner with you? I think about that a whole lot. Really God, you want to partner with me?
“Troy, I don’t want to partner on just the little things,” He says, “but also on the most important things to me.”
What an awesome opportunity. What an awesome responsibility! That’s why you don’t run off the reservation and do things without God. When you partner with Him, and He loves it when you do, you not only fulfill your dreams, you chalk up a win for the Kingdom. Partner for the Promised Land. You can’t go wrong!
Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. – Philippians 2:13
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO PARTNER WITH THE LORD FOR YOUR DESTINY. YOUR PROMISED LAND AWAITS. GO AFTER IT WITH HIM!
From my sermon series MILK AND HONEY
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